THE BISHOP OF CALEDONIA 211
volved upon the ladies, who fought the fire bravely and skilfully, in spite of being driven back con tinuously. Miss Edwards told me they poured water over each other, as their dresses were set on fire, but, though wet through, they soon were again dried by the great heat. Miss West was overcome by the smoke on the stairs, and was dragged into the open by two Indian women, who accidentally came across her in an unconscious condition. As soon as she recovered, Miss West fought again. Though so much was burnt, the intelligent method of fighting the fire kept it from reaching the principal part of the town. Miss Davies saw that the raised viaduct of wood be tween the wharf and the town hall was burning towards the latter, and that if it caught fire the western side of the town would be destroyed ; so she called the other ladies from the buildings they could not save, and with axes and levers tore down a long section of the roadway at im mense peril, and so saved the town. It was a brave deed, deserving great credit. The day after the fire many Indians left their fishing on the Skeena, and not only fetched away their own children, but, true to Indian hospitality, took many others to nourish them until we can provide shelter for them. On a subsequent date I learnt of a curious circumstance in connection with the fire. I chanced to inquire the cause of the many holes in the ladies dresses, and was told they were
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